Heraldry
Heraldry is more than a collection of symbols;
it is a living expression of identity, ancestry, and tradition.
Heraldic Research & Family Arms
Personal Achievement of Arms
This design is that of my own achievement of arms, assumed and thereafter registered with the NEGHS Committee on Heraldry. Its design draws upon both my family history and my activities in the field of historical research. The element that features most prominently in the overall design is the pompeblêd, the heart-shaped water lily leaf. This symbol serves as one of the most recognizable emblems of Frisian identity, appearing prominently in the provincial coat of arms and flag of Friesland. In the design of the arms, the pompeblêd is carried by an owl, a traditional symbol of knowledge, signifying my continued stewardship of Frisian history. All of these elements are placed above a base of water, recalling the transmission of this knowledge across the sea from Friesland to America.
The blazon of the arms:
Arms: Silver an owl sable, beak and legs gules, holding in the dexter claw a water-lily leaf gules, a base wavy azure.
Crest: An owl’s leg issuant sable, the foot gules holding a water-lily leaf also gules.